Operation centres for West

Assistant Minister for National Disaster Management Joeli Cawaki (left) during a tour around the government storage yard in Lautoka. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

THE National Disaster Management Office in the Western Division is aiming to open emergency operation centres (EOCs) in all of its districts.

Commissioner Western Manasa Tagicakibau said having EOCs in Sigatoka, Rakiraki, Nadi, Ba, Tavua and Lautoka was critical to effective disaster response.

"We have the divisional emergency operation centre in Lautoka where we co-ordinate all of the work and information to the rest of our districts," he said.

"Our plan is to have EOCs in all of our districts, but that will depend on funding.

"We have had global bodies like the European Union helping in the funding of a new EOC in Tavua and we are hoping that more will come forward to help us refurbish our district offices.

"The main reason we want the centres established is because it will improve our services to the people of Fiji.

"During and after a natural disaster, the operations centre becomes the main focal point where information is collected and disseminated.

"It is where all of our various government departments come together to carry out emergency response efforts.

"Our team in Tavua will be able to carry out their work more efficiently, but our long-term plan is to empower and strengthen all of our districts with the same equipment and facilities. We need to ensure that all of our government agencies are equipped in emergency response."